The pandemic impacted many organizations including the Turtle Mountain Local of the Manitoba Metis Federation.

Turtle Mountain is one of the dozens of locals operating across the province of Manitoba.

Chris LeForte is Chair of Turtle Mountain Local, and he says the executive and the group’s centre in the Turtle Mountains has been dormant over the past two years. “Now that things are lightening up, we’re trying to get the community back and get people out for some fellowship and activities.”

“This weekend we have a poker derby on Saturday and a fishing derby on Sunday. It starts at Lake Metigoshe and ends at Lake Metigoshe at the Metis Centre. We have hot dogs, chili, smokies, silent auction, a 50-50 and lots of other things,” said Chris LeForte.

The weekend events are aimed at raising money for the Turtle Mountain Local.

“We have all kinds of upkeep in our centre and it has been dormant and there are costs like insurance and that’s just getting more expensive. Money raised is going right back into the local up there. Our centre is located on the northeast corner of Dromore Lake.”

Organizers are hoping to see a good crowd out for both fund-raising events.

“Our role as a local is to keep pour heritage alive and to keep our youth educated on our history as well as the general public. We’re a non-profit and we’re just trying to get our traditional roots back and that’s the big push. We’re not like the bigger centres so every weekend gathering is great for our community.”